City Category Manager - Fruits & Vegetables

Company Overview

Reliance Retail is Indias largest and fastest growing retailer with a robust omni-channel presence across diverse store concepts and digital commerce platforms. With more than 193 million loyal customers and over 15,000 stores in 7,000+ cities, Reliance Retail transforms experiences by providing outstanding value, superior quality, and unmatched service across the grocery and food categories.

Job Overview

The City Category Manager Fruits & Vegetables will be responsible for overseeing and growing the fresh produce category in Nagpur, Amravati, and Akola. This full-time, entry-level role is ideal for freshers with up to 1 year of experience who aspire to drive strategic sourcing, category development, and vendor relationships to achieve business goals in the retail sector.

Qualifications And Skills

• Highest Qualification : Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Agriculture
• Proficiency in strategic sourcing, ensuring competitive procurement of fruits and vegetables to maximize quality and value (Mandatory skill).
• Solid understanding of category management, including assortment planning and lifecycle management for perishable items (Mandatory skill).
• Strong vendor management abilities, from selection to performance evaluation, fostering reliable supply partnerships (Mandatory skill).
• Basic knowledge of contract negotiation to finalize terms with suppliers and ensure favorable deals for the company.
• Familiarity with key attributes, seasonality, and handling requirements for fruits and vegetables to ensure optimum quality standards.
• Understanding of the buyer role, including demand planning, market analysis, and inventory replenishment best practices.
• Ability to coordinate with supply chain teams to guarantee timely delivery, minimize wastage, and maintain stock freshness.
• Analytical thinking for interpreting sales data, identifying trends, and providing actionable recommendations to improve category performance.
  

Roles And Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for fruits and vegetables customized for the assigned cities and store formats.
• Build and manage relationships with vendors, farmers, and aggregators while ensuring compliance with company standards.
• Negotiate contracts, prices, and supply terms to maximize profitability and assure continuous supply flow.
• Monitor market and seasonal trends to capitalize on opportunities and mitigate potential risks in fruit and vegetable procurement.
• Collaborate with supply chain and logistics teams to optimize supply schedules, minimize losses, and ensure product freshness.
• Track and analyze category performance metrics, customer preferences, and competition to inform strategic decisions.
• Drive category growth initiatives, including promotional campaigns, new product launches, and in-store merchandising.
• Ensure adherence to food safety, quality, and regulatory standards at every stage of the sourcing and delivery process.